Three Fishermen Die in Boating Accident on Mississippi

Three fishermen died following a boating accident on the Mississippi River on Sunday.

The Iowa DNR says around 11 am, a boat with three occupants capsized below Lock and Dam No. 12 in Bellevue on the Mississippi River. The victims were fishing in a restricted area directly beneath the dam when their boat overturned.

According to preliminary reports, the boat was pulled into the hazardous waters below the dam due to a strong current created by the dam’s operation.  The men were pulled from the water and taken to shore. Emergency responders arrived and administered lifesaving measures, but two were confirmed dead at the scene. One victim was transported by ambulance to the MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center and was later pronounced dead.

The victims are identified as: 

• Mitchell Thomson, 30, Stanwood, Iowa
• Nicholas Thomson, 40, Tipton, Iowa
• Kirk Stout Sr, 61, Marion, Iowa

The incident is under active investigation. Iowa DNR was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff, Bellevue Fire & Rescue, Bellevue EMS, Illinois DNR, Key West Fire/EMS, University of Iowa Air Care 3, University of Iowa Air Care 4, Jackson County Emergency Management, and Springbrook Fire/EMS.